An open-air concert in Dome Square, master classes for young musicians and, certainly, performances of super stars in Arena Riga – all of this is planned in the programme of World Jazz Festival II to be held in Riga on 24 and 25 July.
The World Jazz Festival is organised by Igor Butman and Arkady Ukupnik with the support of Rietumu Bank.
“We are very glad that this year Riga will again gather representatives of the elite of world jazz. The capital of Latvia has deep-rooted jazz traditions and I think that this wonderful city is worthy of holding such a festival. We at Rietumu Bank thought about this when taking the decision about the support of this event, as well as about the fact that there are many connoisseurs of such music among our clients, partners and friends. Jazz always represents freedom, intellect and individuality. I wish for the organisers of the festival, who are wonderful musicians themselves, to surpass their impressive success of the previous year,” said Member of the Rietumu Bank Council Alexander Gafin.
This year the organisers plan to repeat the success of the first festival and have prepared a programme with the world stars.
On 24 July the world famous saxophonist Igor Butman will perform on the stage of Arena Riga together with the Moscow Jazz Orchestra. During the 16 years of its existence, the Butman orchestra has toured hundreds of cities in different countries, has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Centre, the legendary jazz club Birdland and on many other famous stages.
The festival programme also includes Trilok Gurtu – an Indian musician, born in Mumbai, who has exquisitely mixed music of his country with jazz, fusion and world music. He released his albums in cooperation with outstanding musicians of modern times, such as Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinul and many others.
On 25 July the World Jazz Festival presents a performance of a famous musician, who has collected dozens of prizes available to a jazz guitarist – Grammy, Emmy, Jazzman of the Year according to Rolling Stone magazine, received his star on the Walk of Fame, and who has lots of gold and platinum discs – Stanley Clarke. He masterfully plays many musical instruments, impressing his listeners with his original performance, techniques and perfect sound.
Among the festival participants, will be the group Take 6 – the most prize-winning gospel and jazz group of America, holder of 18 nominations and 10 Grammys and a whole collection of honorary awards. These six virtuosos have developed their own standards of vocal art, which they strictly adhere to, having made the experienced Quincy Jones call them the most daring vocal team on the planet.
To create the atmosphere of a real jazz festival in Riga, on 24 July a free concert of Russian and Baltic jazzmen will be arranged in the open air in Dome Square – in the heart of the Old Town. The participants of this concert will be vocalist from Estonia Sophia Rubina, pianist and composer Nick Levinovsky from the USA, the Latvian Mirage Jazz Orchestra and many others.
The organisers have also devoted attention to the educational component of the festival. On 25 July master classes of the headliners of the World Jazz Festival will take place for students and all who are interested.
Eleonora Gailisha Mass Media and Public Relations
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